Correlated response to selection for litter size residual variance in rabbits

Abstract

The thesis is composed for four articles, where is studied either as relationships between body condition and energetic mobilization in rabbits and as the effect of selection for litter size variability in body condition and energetic mobilization, such as welfare biomarkers, and in litter size and its components after seven generation of selection. The first article examines the relationships between measures of body condition and energetic mobilization on primiparous rabbit at mating, delivery and 10 d after delivery, using principal component analysis. Body condition was measured as body weight and perirenal fat thickness. Energetic mobilization was measured as non-esterified fatty acid concentration in blood, before (NEFAb) and after lipolysis stimulation by isoproterenol (NEFAr). All body weights and perirenal fat thickness were located on the first principal component, exhibiting high correlations between them both at the same or different times (from 0.51 to 0.83). All NEFA measurements were located on the second component, showing low correlations with body condition measurements. Both NEFAs showed high positive correlations when measured at the same time (0.65 at mating, 0.72 at delivery and 0.69 at 10 d after delivery), but low correlations when measured at different times (from 0.09 to 0.20). The second article analyses the correlated response in body condition and fat reserves mobilization. The perirenal fat thickness and the increase in NEFAs from basal until adrenergic stimulation by isoproterenol were measured at second mating, at delivery and at 10 d after delivery. Perirenal fat thickness was similar in both lines at mating. However, the high line showed lower fat thickness than the low line at delivery (-0.16 mm, P=0.86), and this difference remained at 10 d after delivery (-0.17 mm, P=0.86). Moreover, this line exhibited 30% more concentration in NEFAs at delivery than the low one (P=0.96). The third and fourth articles study the correlated responses to selection in litter size and its components. A laparoscopy was performed 12 d of the second gestation, in order to estimate ovulation rate and number of implanted embryos. The litter size was recorded at the second parity. In the last gestation, the embryonic development was analysed at 28, 48 and 72 hours of gestation. The ovulation rate was similar in both lines. The line selected to reduce variability in litter size showed a higher number of implanted embryos (1.23, P=1.00) than the high line. Also, this line showed a more advanced development of the embryos from 48 hours of gestation, exhibiting a lower percentage of early morulae both at 48 hours (53.32% vs 79.90%, P=0.93) and at 72 hours (3.88% Vs. 21.04%, P=0.93). More advanced embryo development is related to higher embryo survival (0.85 vs 0.78, P=1.00). A higher uterine overcrowding of embryos in the low line did not penalise fetal survival, and as a result, this line continued showing a greater number of kits born at birth (0.98, P=0.96). In conclusion, body weight and perirenal fat thickness are good predictors of body reserves and both measurements could be used to estimate energy changes in the mid-long term, while NEFA measurements should be used in the short term. A decrease in litter size variability has a favourable effect on body condition, fat reserve mobilization, embryonic development and survival, and litter size.